Bell Biv DeVoe was all over "urban contemporary" radio in 1991, when MCA Records set out to milk the trio's tremendous popularity for all it was worth with this generally decent and likeable, though far from outstanding, collection of remixes. The best remixes surprise us by adding something different and fresh to familar songs -- and WBBD Bootcity! : The Remix Album (which is presented in the form of an "urban contemporary" radio program, and even includes an interview with
BBD) doesn't add anything particularly memorable or interesting to "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?," "She's Dope!" and other major hits from the triple-platinum
Poison. There are a few surprises, including a jazz-influenced version of "Do Me" that is decidedly less forceful than the original version. But on the whole,
WBBD takes a predictable, play-it-safe approach that fails to demonstrate how inventive remixes can be. This is a CD that only the most hardcore
BBD fanatics should check out. ~ Alex Henderson